Jordan Schafer day-to-day with head injury

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Jordan Schafer left Sunday’s game with a head injury sustained when he collided with Marlins shortstop Jose Reyes’ knee on a failed stolen base attempt, sending his helmet flying.

Schafer was deemed day-to-day and downplayed the injury.

“A little dizzy. But other than that, I’m all right,” he said, adding he did not take any concussion tests.

Schafer was replaced for the bottom of the 11th inning by Travis Buck, who entered in right and sent Brian Bogusevic to center field. Justin Maxwell could also play some center should this injury cost Schafer more than just the half-inning.

Adjustments help settle Happ

J.A. Happ, the first victim of the Marlins’ obscenely gaudy home run sculpture, said he struggled a bit to keep the ball down early. But once he made adjustments, it turned into a nice outing for the lefty in the no-decision.

Happ, who now sports an ERA of 3.75 through the tiny sample of two starts after his poor 2011, allowed two runs over six innings to the Marlins. He walked two, including one after what appeared to be a missed strike-three call, and struck out eight for the seventh time in his career.

“To try to keep your-self out of a big inning, it’s nice, but I’m not specifically going out hunting for those,” Happ said of the eight strikeouts.

Pinch-hitting new for Buck

Whereas he used to get hot before the game, the real work now starts in the fourth inning for Travis Buck. Whereas he used to study the starting pitcher intently, now he hones in on the closer in every series.

Pinch-hitting is a new occupation for Buck, an American League lifer until this year.

He has started the season by reaching base four of his five times coming off the bench.

“In the American League, there are some times when you pinch-hit, but it’s totally different,” said Buck, who played for the Athletics and Indians, who use the designated hitter and pinch-hit mostly in emergencies. “You get ambushed in the American League, whereas in the National League, you’re more prepared.”

The Astros thave no shortage of pinch-hitting experts — including Matt Downs, who was good in the role last year, Brad Mills from his Expos days and third-base coach Dave Clark — on whom Buck has leaned.

“I talked to some people, especially Dave Clark, who had a role like that in the past, and try to pick their brains a little bit about what made them successful,” Buck said. “It usually starts for me about the fourth inning when we’re in the field. I’ll go in the cage and take some swings.

“I just make sure the first game of every series I see all the pitchers, especially the closer. Every series, I’ve faced the closer at least once, and I take pride in that — I want to face their best.”

On deck: Astros at NationalsWhen/where: 6:10 p.m. Mon.-Thursday, Nationals Park.TV/radio: No TV Monday. Tuesday-Thursday on FSH. All games on 740 AM and 1010 AM (Spanish).Pitchers: Astros (4-6) Nationals (7-3)
Today K. Weiland (0-1, 7.20) S. Strasburg (1-0, 0.69)
Tue. W. Rodriguez (0-1, 2.38) G. Gonzalez (0-0, 3.38)
Wed. L. Harrell (1-0, 3.27) J. Zimmermann (0-1, 1.29)
Thu. B. Norris (0-0, 4.15) E. Jackson (1-0, 2.57)Nationals update: A loss to the Reds snapped their five-game winning streak, but this is clearly the best team the Astros have faced so far and one that has its 1-4 starters lined up for this series. Overall, the Nationals have a staff ERA of 1.99. This will be Stephen Strasburg’s first home start of the year, and Houston-based pastor Joel Osteen will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.Player to watch: Stephen Strasburg. The Astros will get their first long look at the ace of the staff and owner of some of the best stuff in the game. Last September, Strasburg pitched three innings against the Astros on his road back from Tommy John surgery. He’s given up one run on seven hits in his 13 innings this year and walked four while striking out 14. The eight-pound, $59 Strasburger at Nationals Park is named in his honor.